Chapter Eight
Watching Reece get ready, I’m a nervous wreck. Tonight we are telling her parents that we’re dating, and then probably going to have to tell my parents. But Cal Davies is scaring the shit out of me.
He’s always been protective of his baby girl, and now I have to admit that I’ve been lying to him for almost a year.
“Would you stop rubbing your hands together? You’re going to rub the skin clear off! It’s just Daddy.” She stares at me from the bathroom mirror.
“It’s not just Daddy tonight. Tonight it’s Mr. Davies who wants to kill any man that dares to touch his baby. And usually, I’m down with that attitude, except it’s my ass on the line now.”
She rolls her eyes while shaking her head. “He’ll be fine. He loves you. You know that.”
“He loved me when I was your friend, Reeces Pieces. He won’t love me when he knows that you’ve been in my bed every night that you’ve been on this ranch.”
She puts the curling iron down on the counter, unplugging it. “You sir,”—she walks into my space between my thighs—“worry, way too much. Daddy loves you. Mom loves you. And they’re going to be thrilled for us.”
Wrapping my arms around her middle, I tug her toward me. “I’m going to trust you then, because I’m nervous as fuck.”
She leans down, kissing me. “It’ll be fine. Let’s go and get this over with though. Hopefully you can come home with me tonight and you’re not missing somewhere out on the outer edges by the broken camera.”
She walks away from me laughing at her own joke, but I’m not laughing. It’s a very real possibility.
Parking the truck next to Cal’s Sanders Hollow work truck, my palms are sweating. I’m not fucking ready for this.
Walking up the front porch, she knocks on the door and Cal opens it.
“Mom, Dad.” She draws their attention to us and my stomach flips.
“Hey, baby girl, what are you doing? Come in here.”
“Dad, do not freak out,” she warns.
“Why would I—” We both step into the house. “Jaycob?”
“Reece?” Her mom is staring at both of us.
“I told you guys not to freak out. But, Jaycob is who I’ve been dating.” When they both continue to just stare she adds, “We’re in love.”
“Mr. Cal…” I start.
“Nope. Not happening. You are almost twenty-five Jaycob! My girl is only nineteen! How the hell long has this been going on?”
Juliette places her hand on his forearm. “Come in, dinner is almost ready and we can talk then.”
“I’m not coming in until I know Daddy is going to be nice.” Reece stands up for me.
“Don’t Daddy me now, baby girl! How long have you been dating?” Cal’s stare is burning a hole into me.
“A year, sir.”
“Oh, well shit, I mean at least you waited until she was legal. Jesus fucking Christ. Do you hear this, Jules?”
She shakes her head curtly. “Not. Now. Cal.”
He walks toward the door and me. “Jaycob and I need to have a chat.” He grabs me by the collar and drags me out toward the barns.
“Son, you better start talking and fast.”
“I promise, sir, nothing happened between us but friendship until a year ago. I swear it.” He scrutinizes my face as I talk.
“Why my daughter?”
“She’s my everything. I know we’re young, well she’s young. But I can’t imagine my life without her. It’d mean the world to us to have your blessing.”
He freezes mid step and turns to face me. “Blessing for what?”
“Dating! Just dating.” I hold my hands up in defense.
“Just dating? Is my girl not good enough to marry?” Another step and raised eyebrows from Cal.
Shit. This is not coming out how I want it to.
“No… no, that’s not… She’s perfect, honest to God, but she’s still in college, and I’m here. And we just want more time. But one day I’ll ask for her hand. Just not today.”
“Good. I wouldn’t give it today. You’re a great guy, Jaycob.
I’m proud of the work you’re doing here at the ranch with me and your daddy.
But, she’s my whole world.” He slaps me on the shoulder.
“You shoulda manned up and told me yourself. Not blindsided me.” I nod in understanding. “Do your parents know?”
“Not yet, sir. We wanted to tell you first.” I fidget on my feet under his gaze. I don’t think I was this nervous when I interviewed with him as an eighteen year old kid.
“Well that’s a strike on your side isn’t it?” I swallow hard. “Let’s go tell ‘em then, huh?”
“Only if Reece wants to. I won’t push her, sir. This whole timeline is hers and I’m just along for the ride.” Keeping our relationship quiet was a secret Reece wanted to keep. She gets to decide when and who we tell. I won’t let him take over and want things on his timeline.
“Good. You do right by my girl and we won’t have any problems.”
My shoulders relax at his acceptance. The hardest part is over. “Yes, sir. I promise I will.”
He nods once, walking back to the house.
“Oh my God! I’m so happy Daddy didn’t lose it.” Reece yells when we get back into the truck.
“What do you mean?” I snap my head in her direction. “You said everything was going to be fine because he loves me!”
“I was just trying to make you feel better. Honestly, I thought he was going to lose his shit. But I think that went well.”
I stare at her. “Are you serious? You tried to appease me before sending me into the lion’s den? And you let him take me out to the barn by my shirt collar like a teenager?”
“I mean, I would have come looking for you if he came back alone.” She pecks my cheek with a quick kiss.
“Gee, thanks. You’re just the sweetest.” Reaching over, I place my hand on her thigh as I drive over to my parents’ house. “You have it easy. My mama is going to be over the freaking moon that we’re dating. She thinks I’m going to be the perpetual bachelor. I guess I was just waiting for you.”
“Guess the Universe knew better than we did.” She winks at me.
Since my parents live on the ranch too, we’re in their driveway in no time.
“Your mama is already in the doorway waiting.” Reece laughs.
“I knew your Mom was going to text her.” I pull her to me quickly for a kiss before we both hop out of the truck.
“My Reecey girl! Oh my God! I can’t believe it!” Mama holds her arms open to pull Reece into a hug.
Dad appears in the doorway. “Son. That was quite the risk you took,” he says, laughing.
“Tell me about it. I thought for sure y’all would be looking for my body near the pig pens.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that the thought crossed Cal’s mind. But he’s probably a little too afraid of your mama to do anythin’. And Ms. Juliette.”
I shake my head, he’s probably right. “Thank God for them then, huh?”
Mama hugs my shoulders. “Come sit! Tell me everything!”
Reece happily joins Mama on the couch with the fresh bowl of popcorn. Dad and I laugh before joining them.
Thank God Reece and I came up with an alternate story as to how we started dating because admitting to both sets of our parents that it was because she dared me to take her virginity would have been awkward as hell.
I settle into the couch next to Reece wrapping my arm around her waist. I never thought we’d be here, but damn am I happy that we are.